IS 1624: Method of field testing of building lime

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IS 1624 (1986) : Method of field testing of building lime
[CED 4: Building Limes and Gypsum Products]

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PROTECTED BY COPYRIGHT

Indian Standard

IS : 1624 - 1986

(Reaffirmed 2009)

METHODS OF
FIELD- TESTING OF BUILDING LIME

( Second Revision)

Second Reprint AUGUST 1996

UDC 691.51:620.1

® Copynght 1986

BUREAU OF INDIAN STANDARDS

MANAK BHAVAN, 9 BAHADUR SHAH ZAFAR MARG

NEW DELHIl 10002

Gr 2 December 1986

IS : 1624 - 1986

Indian Standard

METHODS OF
FIELD TESTING OF BUILDING LIME

( Second Revision )

Building Limes Sectional Committee, BDC 4

Chairman Representing

Shiii C. D. Thattb Gujarat Engineering Research Institute, Vadodara

Members

Research Officer ( GERI ) ( Alternate to
Shri C. D. Thatte )
Dr S. C. Ahluwalia National Council for Cement and Building MateriaU,

New Delhi
Shri S. P. S. Ahuja Engineer-in-Chief*s Branch ( Ministry of Defence ),

New Delhi
Maj V. K. SuRi ( Alternate )
Shri S. K. Banerjee National Test House, Calcutta

Shri D. K. Kanuoo ( Alternate )
Shri N. G. Basak Directorate General of Technical Development,

New Delhi
Shri S. K. Ghosh ( Alternate )
Shri H. U, Bulaki All India Housing Development Association,

New Delhi
Shri S. J. Bahadur ( Alternate )
Shri B. K. Chakrabortt Housing and Urban Development Co-operation,

New Delhi
Shri P. S. Srivastava ( Alternate )
Shri S. K. Chaudhary Lime Manufacturers' Association of India,

New Delhi
Dr N. G. Dave Central Building Research Institute ( CSIR ),

Roorkee
Shri S. K. Malhotra ( Alternate )
Director A.P, Engineering Research Laboratories, Hyderabad

JoiuTT Director ( AlternMte )
Director Central Soil and Materials Research Station,

New Delhi
Deputy Director ( Ali^maU )

( Coniinuid on page 2 )

® Cofgtrighi 1986

BUREAU OF INDIAN STANDARDS

This publlcatioD it protected under the Mtan Copyright Act ( XIV of 1957 ) and

reproduction in whole or in part by any means except with written permissioo of the

publisher shall be deamed to be an infrinf^ement of copyright under the said Act.

IS t 1624 - 1986

( C^ntitwid Jfom pag$ \ )

MtmbMTs ReprisifUing

H0U8IKO GoMMiS8iOK£R Rajasthan Housing Board, Jaipur

Rebident Enohtexr ( Alt$mat$ )
JojKT DiBBCTOR RxsxARCB ( B&S ) Research, Designs and Standards Organization

( Ministry of Railways ), Lucknow

Deputy Director Research

{ B&S ) ( AUitnaU )

; N. "

Suri N. Maobdo Dyer's Stone Lime Co Pvt Ltd, Delhi

Shrj H. L. Mauwah Builder's Association of India, Bombay

Shrx Harts h C. Kohli ( Alttrnait )
Dr S. C. Maudoal Department of Science & Technology, New Delhi

Shri Y. R. Phull Central Road Research Institute ( CSIR }, New

Delhi
Shri M. L. Bhatia ( AltumaU )
Dr a. V. R. Rao National Buildings Organization, New Delhi

Shri J. Sen Gxtfta ( AlitmaU )
Shri M. V. Naoaraj Rao " Public Works Department, Government of Madhya

Pradesh, Bhopal
Shki C. V. Kand ( Altimatt)
Shri K. V. Sinou Department of Mines & Geology, Grovernment of

Rajasthan, Udaipur
Shri J. N. Kaoebr ( AUernati )
Super iNTEKDiNO Eitoineer Public Works I>epartment, Government of Tamil

( Plaknino & Design ) Nadu, Madras

Executive Enqinexr ( Buii»r-
iNQ Cbvtrb Division ) ( Alternatt )
SuPBRiKTEKDiNO SURVEYOR OP Central Public Works Department, New Delhi
Works ( NDZ )

Surveyor op Works I
i NDZ ) ( AUimate )
Shri V. Vasudbvak Khadi & Village Industries Commission, New Delhi

Shri E. Ramachandban ( AlUmati )
Shri G. Raman, Director General, ISI ( Ex^Jido Mtmhtr )

Director ( Civ Engg )

SicrtUtfy

Shri N. C. Bandyopadhtay
Deputy Director ( Civ Engg ), ISI

AMENDMENT NO. 1 JUNE 1991

TO

IS 1624 : 1984 METHODS OF

FIELD TESTING OF BUILDING LIME

(Stetmd MgntUm)

(CED4)

Refwgniiky Umi, BIS. New Delhi. ladia

IS : 1624 - 1986

Indian Standard

METHODS OF
FIELD TESTING OF BUILDING LIME

( Second Revision )

0- FOREWORD

0.1 This Indian Standard ( Second Revision ) was adopted by the Indian
Standards Institution on 30 June 1986, after the draft finalized by the
Building Limes Sectional Committee had been approved by the Civil
Engineering Division Council.

0,2 Lime is a reactive material and constantly undergoes chemical
changes on exposure to the atmosphere. Even during manufacture,
there are chances of variability in the quality. It is, therefore, necessary
to check its quality at various stages such as after burning, on slaking,
during storage and before actual use. For this purpose, simple field
tests can give quick and fairly reliable rebults. Only those field tests
have been included in this standard which are fairly well established
and have proved satisfactory. Although these arc not as accurate as
laboratory tests specified in IS : 6932 ( Parts 1 to 11 )* which alone shall
form the basis of acceptance or rejection for the purchase of material,
field tests give a general idea of the quality of buildii)g lime and can be
quite reliable if done in accordance with tl:e specified procedure.

QJIA This standard |vas first revised in 1974. Consequent upon the
inclusion of additional variety of lime in IS : 712-1984t, this revision
has been prepared to cover the field testing of all the varieties of lime.
In this revision, all the methods have been modified in the light of
experience gained during the use of this standard and a n^w mc^^od
for testing workability has been incorporated.

0.3 In reporting the results of a test or analysis made in accordance with
this standard, if the final value, observed or calculated, is to be rounded
off, it shall be done in accordance with IS : 2-1960J.

* Methods of test for building limes ( issued in 1 1 parts ).
tSpecification for building limes ( third r$vision ).
{Rules for rounding off numerical values ( revised ).

Ift s 1624 • 1986

1. SCOPE

1.1 This standard lays down the procedures of the following simple field
tests for building lime:

a) Visual examination,

b) Hydrochloric acid test,

c) Ball test,

d) Impurity test,

e) Plasticity test on blotting paper, and

f) Workability test.

2. TERMINOLOGY

2.1 For the purpose of this standard, the definitions given in IS : 6508-
1972* shall apply.

3. VISUAL EXAMINATION

3.1 Procedure and Observation — Examine the lime for colour and
for state of aggregation, namely, lumpy, powdery, soft, hard, etc. Class
C&D limes mostly used for whitewash have white colour. Lumpy form
may indicate quick lime or unburnt limestone but the former may be
differentiated by its porous structure. The hydrated lime supplied
should not contain coarse and gritty lime pieces larger than about
250 mm when rubbed in between the thumb and the finger.

4. HYDROCHLORIC ACID TEST

4.1 Procedure — Place sufficient quantity of powder lime into a 50-ml
graduated glass cylinder, which on gentle tapping for about two minutes
or so, sec lies down to about 5-ml mark with a neat surface on the top.
Into this cylinder, fill up to 25-ml mark hydrochloric acid (1:1),
preferably along a glass rod placed in the cylinder so that the acid does
not get smeared all over the side of the cylinder. The contents, after
stirring with a glass rod, should not leave much inert material at the
bottom of the cylinder. To ensure that the inert material left at the
bottom of the cylinder after stirring with a glass rod, does not contain
any calcium carbonate, add excess of hydrochloric acid drop by drop
with constant stirring till there is no effervescence. The cylinder with
its contents shall then be kept standing for about 24 hours for observation
of gel formation.

^Glossary of terms relating to building lime.

IS I 1624 - 1986

4.2 Observation

4.2,1 If the effervescence indicating the liberation of carbon dioxide
is abundant, it may be inferred that either the lime has a substantial
proportion of calcium carbonate because it has not been burnt properly
and adequately and/or stored properly. All acceptable lime will,
however, give some effervescence.

4»2«2 The volume of insoluble residue at the bottom of the cylinder
compared with the original volume of lime will indicate the proportion
of inert material and give an idea if it is excessive or not.

4.2,3 In case of hydrauliclime, a good thick gel will be formed and
below it some inert material will be deposited. If the gel is so thick, as
not even to flow when the cylinder is turned upside down, the inference
may be that the lime is of Class A. If the gel formed is not quite thick
and tends to flow on being tilted, the lime may be class B or E. If there
is no gel formation the lime may be Class C, D or F.

5- BALL TEST

5.1 Procedure — Make balls of about 50 mm diameter of quick lime
mixed with just sufficient water to give a stiff paste, and leave them
undisturbed for a period of six hours. Immerse in a basin of water.

5»2 Observation — Signs of disintegration within a few mihutes show
that time mny be of Class C or D. Very little expansion and numerous
cracks sometimes seen on the surface show that lime may be of Class B
or E. No signs of disintegration nnder water show that lime may be
of Class A.

6. IMPURITY TEST

6.1 Procedure — Draw a known mass of freshly burnt quick lime from
the kiln or quick lime supplied and place in a vessel containing sufficient
quantity of water. Stir the contents well and allow them to settle for
two hours. Then pass the milk of lime with addition ot water, if
necessary, through 850 micron IS sieve. Wash the residue containing
unburnt or overburnt stone, cinder, sand or any other, impurity
with clean water till it is free from lime. Transfer the residue to a
metal tray with a jet of water.

Allow it to settle and decant off the water from the tray« Dry the
residue, cool and screen out any fines which may have resulted due to
slaking. Dry the residue for 8 hours in hot sun and weigh.

6.2 Observation — The extent of residue calculated as percentage of
the initial mass of material gives an idea about the burning efficiency

IS 1 1624 • 1986

of the kiln or the presence of unreactive portions in the lime iupplied
as given below:

a) Class B and F will have residue not more than 10 percent, and

b) Class C and D will have residue not more than 5 percent.

Note — In rare cases, residue may be more than 10 percent in case of Class B
lime.

7. PLASTICITY TEST ON BLOTTING PAPER

7.1 Procedure — Mix the lime with water to a thick cream like
consistency and leave preferably overnight. Then, spread it like
butter with the help of a knife on a blotting paper.

7»2 Observation — A comparison with the behaviour of performances
of standard lime of known good quality with a little experience helps in
judging its plasticity. If it is spreadable with ease without any gritty
material and with soft strokes, then it may have good plasticity.

8. WORKABILITY TEST

8«1 The two tests described in 8.1.1 and 8.1*2 may be used to evaluate
the workability of lime.

8.L1 Method J

8.1.L1 This procedure is largely a matter of judgement and is
entirely left to the practical knowledge and experience of the mason or
plasterer who uses the mortar. The test shall be performed on the same
mortar as is subsequently required to be used in the construction. By
throwing, with the same effort as for rough-cast work, a handful of the
mortar on the surface on which it is to be used and by noting how
much area is covered and how much mortar is picked up, the mason
may be able to judge the workability. The spread of mortar on throw
of a spadeful of mortar on trowel to the wall shall be at least double in
size and greater part of it shall remain stuck to the wall for a good
workability.

8.1.2 Method 2

8.1.2.1 For this test, truncated cone and plate shown in Fig. 1 shall
be used. Prepare the mortar as is subsequently required to be used in the
construction. Fill the truncated cone A with this mortar after placing
the plate B in position under the cone. Gently tamp the mortar with a
wooden rod ( approximately 16 mm in diameter } and remove the
excess mortar with a mason's trowel i»o that the mortar surface is in
level with the top rim of the cone. Raise the cone along with the plate
B to a height of 300 mm. Slide the plate B horizontally so that the
mortar falls freely on the graduated plate C placed below horizontally

IS : 1624 - 1986

on the ground. Read the spread of the mortar on the plate and take
the average. This spread shall be 150 to 160 mm for a good workable
mortar.

^9 1Q ^

T"

90

in'

THICK
OALVANlSfO
STfCL SHECr

^ f 100

4

CLeVATION

FLAN

TRUNCATED CONE A

L— ttfi — -1

ol mm THICK
6AIVANISC0
STtei tHiCT

300

-J mm THICK MILO &TCEL

snecT

PLATE C

PLATE B

All dimensions in millimetres.

Fig. 1 Cone and Plates for WoRKABn-iTv Test

300

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